SNDP Yogam accuses UDF of turning its back on Sabarimala development

Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan has slammed the United Democratic Front (UDF) for “turning its back on” the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB)-sponsored Global Ayyappa Sangamam.

(As many as 3,000 delegates from the country and outside are expected to convene on September 20 at Pampa to ostensibly lay the roadmap for Sabarimala’s transformation as an international spiritual destination.)

Mr. Natesan alleged at a press conference in Kottayam on Sunday that the dominance of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Kerala Congress (KC) in the UDF precluded the Congress from backing Sabarimala’s development with foresight.

 (The IUML and the KC had earlier stated separately that they did not view politics in Sabarimala’s development.) 

Mr. Natesan singled out Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan for “myopically opposing” Sabarimala development, including an airport, a railroad and immense job and revenue generation possibilities, out of “political spite.”

He accused Mr. Satheesan of conducting a “live dress rehearsal” as the next Chief Minister of the State without showing the statesmanship qualities required for the top post. He added that Mr. Satheesan’s presence at Chathayadinam celebrations did not “signal a thaw or a freeze” in relations.

Mr. Natesan said the SNDP Yogam and the Nair Service Society (NSS) had separately expressed their respective understanding that Sabarimala development transcended politics and no entity should subvert the Sangamam for unseemly politicking. 

He said the UDF remained unmoved despite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dialling down its opposition to the event. He said the parallel Sangamam touted by the Hindu Aikya Vedi at Pandalam was a non-starter and cautioned the organisation against being the spokesperson for Hindus.

Mr. Natesan also slammed the BJP for relegating the Chathayadinam celebrations to the party’s Backwards Classes Morcha, a secondary feeder organisation. He noted that the callous decision had caused fissures in the BJP, including resignations.

Mr. Satheesan riposted that Mr. Natesan’s attempt to relegate the Congress to a minor position in the UDF came against the backdrop of his tirade against “Pala Christians and Malappuram Muslims.” Mr. Satheesan said that Mr. Natesan’s words clearly belied his claim to be a follower of Sree Narayana Guru’s teachings. Mr. Satheesan said Mr. Natesan need not jump the gun by anointing him as the UDF’s next Chief Minister.